Islet cell research brings hope for a diabetes cure: meeting report from the 6(th) annual islet society meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The International Diabetes Federation predicts that, over the next twenty years, the largest increase in the prevalence of diabetes will be in the Africa region. Recognizing an unmet need for more focus on Africa and engagement with African scholars, the Islet Society held its 6th annual meeting July 20-21, 2014 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Here, we present a report that covers the presentations and discussion points from that meeting. Work was presented on a variety of topics and included presentations by a significant proportion of Africa diabetes researchers. Overall, it was an excellent conference, with many new international collaborations initiated. We hope that other groups will also respond to the need for more conferences in Africa and focused on Africa.

The effect of using an alternative irrigant between sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine to prevent the formation of para-chloroaniline within the root canal system.

AIM: To determine if the formation of para-chloroaniline (PCA) can be avoided by using an alternative irrigant following sodium hypochlorite but before chlorhexidine. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-five single-rooted teeth were decoronated, instrumented to size 40, .06 taper whilst being irrigated with 14% ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and 6% NaOCl. Samples were then randomly divided into three experimental and two control groups. Group 1 was irrigated with saline followed by 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX). Group 2 was irrigated with 50% citric acid (CA) followed by 2% CHX. Group 3 was irrigated with 14% EDTA followed by 2% CHX. The chemical identity and quantification of the PCA in the formed precipitate was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). RESULTS: All experimental groups contained PCA. The mean level of PCA for group 1 (sterile saline) was 229 ng mL(-1), group 2 (citric acid) 72 ng mL(-1) and group 3 (EDTA) 400 ng mL(-1), respectively. A significant difference was found between the saline and EDTA groups and the negative control (P < 0.05). Although no statistical significance was found between the negative control and citric acid group, PCA was still present in this experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Citric acid used as the intermittent irrigant had the least amount of PCA formation in the canal system. Until the threshold required to cause biological damage in humans is determined, the combination of NaOCl and CHX in root canal treatment should be avoided.

Cross-Reactivity studies of gutta-percha, gutta-balata, and natural rubber latex (Hevea brasiliensis).

Gutta-percha and gutta-balata are derived from the Paliquium gutta and Mimusops globsa trees, respectively, that are in the same botanical family as the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. For this reason the potential for immunological cross-reactivity between the gutta-percha and gutta-balata used in endodontics and natural rubber latex (NRL) has been the subject of some controversy, because these products may be used in latex-allergic individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential cross-reactivity between gutta-percha, gutta-balata, and NRL. Physiological extracts of seven commercially available gutta-percha products, raw gutta-percha, raw gutta-balata, and synthetic transpolyisoprene were each analyzed for cross-reactivity with NRL in a competitive radioallergosorbent test inhibition assay. No detectable cross-reactivity was observed with any of the raw or clinically used gutta-percha products. In contrast the raw gutta-balata released proteins that were cross-reactive with Hevea latex. We conclude that the absence of gutta-percha proteins that can react with Hevea latex-specific IgE antibody supports the minimal potential for commercially available gutta-percha to induce allergic symptoms in individuals sensitized to NRL. Because gutta-balata is sometimes added to commercial gutta-percha products caution should be exercised if products containing gutta-balata are used in endodontic care of latex-allergic individuals.

The impact of traditional birth attendant training on delivery complications in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: In their efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, many national and international agencies make considerable investments in training traditional birth attendants (TBAs). The value of TBA training is controversial, and plausible arguments are made both for and against. Numerous process evaluations are reported in the literature and the results are mixed, though generally positive. Outcome evaluations, however, are scarce. This article describes an outcome evaluation of TBA training conducted in two districts of Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, during 1996. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from a random sample survey of 1961 clients of TBAs were subjected to logistic regression modelling to determine the effect of training on maternal outcomes, controlling for other independent variables. RESULTS: Of eight outcomes modelled, three were associated with training and five were not. Three additional outcomes were not modelled, primarily due to low prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some inherent design limitations, this study found that the evidence for a beneficial impact of TBA training was not compelling. Training sponsors should consider alternative health investments and, where TBA training remains the intervention of choice, be realistic about expectations of impact.

Opposing roles for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the regulation of hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons.

The purpose of the present study was to characterize pharmacologically dopamine D1 receptor-mediated inhibition of tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons in males rats, and to determine if inhibitory dopamine D1 receptors oppose stimulatory dopamine D2 receptors and account for the inability of mixed dopamine receptor agonists to alter the activity of these neurons. Tuberoinfundibular dopamine neuronal activity was estimated by measuring the concentrations of the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the median eminence, the region of the hypothalamus containing terminals of these neurons. Administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist (+/-)-1 phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1 H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol (SKF38393) decreased median eminence DOPAC and increased plasma prolactin concentrations, whereas administration of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist ((-)-trans,6,7,7a,8,9,13b-hexahydro-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-methyl-5H -benzo[d]naphtho-[2,1 b]azepine (SCH39166) increased median eminence DOPAC concentrations but had not effect on plasma prolactin. The inhibitory effect of SKF38393 on median eminence DOPAC concentrations was blocked by SCH39166. These results demonstrate that acute activation of dopamine D1 receptors inhibits the activity of tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons and thereby increases prolactin secretion, and that under basal conditions dopamine D1 receptor-mediated inhibition of tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons is tonically active. Administration of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist (5aR-trans)-5,5a,6,7,8,9,9a,10-octahydro-6-propyl-pyridol[2, 3-g]quinazolin-2-amine (quinelorane) increased median eminence DOPAC concentrations, and SKF38393 caused a dose-dependent reversal of this effect. Administration of the mixed dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist R(-)-10,11-dihydroxy-apomorphine (apomorphine) had no effect per se, but blocked quinelorane-induced increases in DOPAC concentrations in the median eminence. These results reveal that concurrent activation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors nullifies the actions of each of these receptors on tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons, which likely accounts for the lack of an acute effect of mixed dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonists on these hypothalamic dopamine neurons.

Dietary vitamin D toxicity in a household of pot-bellied pigs (Sus scrofa).

Vitamin D intoxication developed in Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs (Sus scrofa) fed 2 commercially available swine rations. Pronounced hypercalcemia and a history incompatible with other causes of hypercalcemia led to confirmation of this diagnosis by plasma vitamin D metabolite analysis in 2 affected animals as compared to a control animal. Feed sample analysis suggested the diet as the likely source of toxicity.

Evidence that D2 receptor-mediated activation of hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons in the male rat occurs via inhibition of tonically active afferent dynorphinergic neurons.

The purpose of the present study was to determine if D2 receptor-mediated activation of hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons occurs via afferent neuronal inhibition of tonically active inhibitory dynorphinergic neurons in the male rat. To this end, the effects of either surgical deafferentation of the mediobasal hypothalamus or administration of a kappa opioid receptor agonist (U-50,488) or antagonist (nor-binaltorphimine (NOR-BNI)) on D2 receptor-mediated activation of TIDA neurons were assessed. For comparison, the activity of mesolimbic DA neurons was also determined in these studies. TIDA and mesolimbic DA neuronal activities were estimated by measuring dopamine synthesis (accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) following decarboxylase inhibition) and metabolism (concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)) in terminals of these neurons in the median eminence and nucleus accumbens, respectively. Intraperitoneal administration of the D2 receptor agonist quinelorane caused a dose-dependent increase in DOPAC in the median eminence and a decrease in DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens; surgical deafferentation of the mediobasal hypothalamus prevented the effect of quinelorane in the median eminence, but not the nucleus accumbens. Activation of kappa opioid receptors with U-50,488 had no effect per se, but blocked quinelorane-induced increases in median eminence DOPA. In contrast, U-50,488 had no effect on DOPA in the nucleus accumbens of either vehicle- or quinelorane-treated rats. Blockade of kappa opioid receptors with NOR-BNI increased median eminence DOPA, and prevented the stimulatory effects of quinelorane on dopamine synthesis. Administration of prolactin also increased median eminence DOPA, but did not alter the ability of quinelorane to stimulate dopamine synthesis. Neither NOR-BNI nor prolactin had any effect on DOPA in the nucleus accumbens of vehicle- or quinelorane-treated rats. These results suggest that D2 receptor-mediated activation of TIDA neurons occurs via an afferent neuronal mechanism involving, at least in part, inhibition of tonically active inhibitory dynorphinergic neurons in the male rat.

Increasing breast milk production for premature infants with a relaxation/imagery audiotape.

Many women whose premature infants are hospitalized in a newborn intensive care unit choose to express breast milk for their babies. Yet anxiety, fatigue, and emotional stress are powerful inhibitors of lactation. To facilitate the breast-feeding experience, intervention mothers were given a 20-minute audio cassette tape based on relaxation and visual imagery techniques. At a single follow-up expression of milk at the hospital approximately 1 week after enrollment, they expressed 63% more breast milk than a randomized group of control mothers. The fat content of the breast milk in the two groups was not significantly different. Among a small group of mothers whose infants were receiving mechanical ventilation, the increase in milk volume compared with that of control mothers was 121%. Longer-term effects of the relaxation/imagery approach (such as extending the duration of breast-feeding or reducing parental stress after hospital discharge) and the physiologic basis for the increased volume of expressed milk (improved milk production v more efficient milk ejection) are appropriate topics for future research.

Flunisolide nasal spray for the treatment of children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Forty-eight children with seasonal allergic rhinitis received either 150 microgram/day of flunisolide (a new topical steroid) or placebo. Those receiving flunisolide had a significantly shorter daily duration of sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose and throat itch. Total or substantial control of their symptoms was reported by 67% of the flunisolide group and 25% of the placebo group.

Pea histones H2A and H2B. Variable and conserved regions in the sequences.

Pea histone II group, a mixture of H2A and H2B obtained by chromatography on an ion-exchange resin, was further fractionated by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography and purified by Bio-Gel P-60 chromatography. Their chromatographic behaviors and gel electrophoretic mobilities of single bands differed significantly from those of calf H2A and H2B. Their amino acid compositions were similar to those of the calf histones as a whole, but differed in detail in certain respects. The partial sequence of pea H2B was deduced from the amino acid compositions of BrCN cleavage fragments and tryptic peptides in comparison with the known sequence of calf H2B. It is different in the amino-terminal basic region from the calf H2B, with a blocked amino terminal and a larger number of residues. In contrast, the middle and carboxy-terminal hydrophobic regions are relatively similar, with at least 19-21 different residues and microheterogeneity at two positions of the pea sequence. The sequence of H2A may vary in much the same way as that of H2B, as suggested by the similar extent of differences in their amino acid compositions. It is thus assumed that the amino-terminal regions, at least, of H2A and H2B histones are variable in evolution provided that they remain basic enough to bind DNA, whereas the middle and carboxy-terminal hydrophobic regions of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 should be conserved to ensure precise histone core formation inside the repeated units of chromatin.